Portland Housing Bureau receives $3 million federal grant to create safer homes for 300 local children
- May 24, 2013

Yesterday, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced Portland as one of 38 communities nationwide awarded grant funding to protect low-income children and families from the dangers of lead-based paint and other home safety hazards.

The City of Portland, through the Portland Housing Bureau (PHB), will receive $3 million to create healthier homes for 300 local families. The award is part of a $98.3 million national allocation to address hazards, train workers in lead-safe work practices, and increase public awareness about childhood lead poisoning. PHB will partner with the Community Alliance of Tenants, the Community Energy Project, Growing Gardens, the Fair Housing Council of Oregon, the Healthy Homes Coalition of Multnomah County, and Multnomah County on this work.

This grant is especially important for our community, which has a high number of homes built before lead-based paint was banned in 1978. Exposure to lead-contaminated dust can lead to tragic health consequences for children, including reduced IQ, learning disabilities, developmental delays, and physical impairments. At high levels, it can cause kidney and central nervous system damage and can lead to anemia.

This significant award speaks volumes about the Portland Housing Bureau's track record of working efficiently and effectively with local partners to create safer homes for low-income kids in our community.

The City of Portland has a strong track record with this competitive grant. Since 1998, and including this latest award, the City has received $20 million from HUD's Lead Hazard Control Grant Program. That funding has helped create safer homes for more than 3,300 local kids. This grant will allow PHB to continue helping local children get off to a healthy start.